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A
ABHAYAM
Fearless.
ABHIMANA
Egoism, identification with the body.
ABHYASA
Spiritual practice ending in Oneness.
ACHARYA
Teacher; spiritual preceptor; propounder of a doctrine. As a title it is
affixed to the names of learned men.
ADHIKARI
A qualified person.
ADHISHTHANA
Substratum, support.
ADHYASA
Superimposition or false attribution of properties of one thing on
another thing.
ADHYATMIC
Spiritual.
ADI
"First", meaning original, primordial.
ADITYA
A Hindu deity.
ADVAITA
Not two, i.e. non-duality. A school of Vedanta philosophy that teaches
the state of sensed oneness with nature and further, a philosophy which
aims at getting over and above (beyond) duality, beyond opposites. It
can be associated with monism. Its most renowned exponent was Shankara.
AGAMA
A class of Tantric literature; Tantric scripture dealing with rites,
righteousness (dharma), cosmology and the like. Agamas are works found
inside the tradition of the tantrics and kaula, as opposed to that of
the orthodox or Aryans known as Veda. In agamas, Shakti (femaleness)
asks Shiva (masculinity deep inside) questions, and he replies.
AGASTHYA
A Vedic seer.
AGNI
Fire; fire god, a bhuta (qv): the fire element. See tattwas.
AGNIHOTRA
A Vedic sacrifice where clarified butter, milk, and curds are offered to
the god of fire.
AHAM
I, embodied self; soul.
AHAMKARA
(Lit., 'ego-factor.'It's really the central I-instance inside. It
handles and deals with experiences of outer objects. It can be good and
bad and in between those two. It can be gross or subtle and in between
those two. It can work in healty ways for our good, or take nasty turns
if unhealthy or unsavoury. Realistic handling of Hindu teachings depends
on healthy, central I-instances in lots of persons. One should go for
it, as good learning, fit adaptations, and savoury realistic handling in
general depend on ahamkara. On the other hand, some forms of madness
with lacks or lossess of assessments may be related to unsound,
defective workings of the I-instance. The term is used in the samkhya (qv)
philosophy.
AHIMSA
It means "non-hurt" or "non-damage", i.e. on-injury in thought, word and
deed. Absence of negativity from within; non-violence
AING, AIM
Mantra of Saraswati and Tara, and also of a chakra or two, according to
the Tantric expert Sir John Woodroffe.
AJAPA MANTRA
"Hamsa" with variant spellings and practices. See HAMSA.
AJNA CHAKRA
The mid-area between the eye-brows, associated with good and able use of
the mind and the so-called third eye. [FURTHER STUDY]
AJNANA
Ignorance; primal ignorance that is rooted in duality.
AMRITA
That which is immortal. Nectar of the Gods.
ANAHATA CHAKRA
Concentration point in the spine behind the heart; centre of emotion and
the experience of unconditional love.
ANAHATA
Mystic sound heard by Yogis.
ANAHATA DHWANI
A spontaneous perpetual sound one can hear in deep concentration.
ANANDA
Bliss, happiness, joy.
ANANDA-GHANA
Cloud of bliss.
ANANDAMAYA KOSHA
The sheath ("layer") of bliss. See kosha(s).
ANANDAMAYA
Full of great happiness.
ANANDA-SVARUPA
Of the form of bliss.
ANANTA NAGA
A name of Shesha, the hydra-headed serpent.
ANNAMAYA KOSHA
The dimension of matter. The physical body. "Kosha" means sheath.
ANTAR MOUNA
Inner stillness, and thought observation.
ANANDA-SVARUPA
Of the form of bliss.
ANTARYAMI
(Lit., one who controls from within). God residing in and controlling
from within.
ANUSHASANAM
Governing or managing the subtle aspects of human personality;
discipline.
APTA
An illumined person, whose words are infallible.
ARHATA
A perfected Soul.
ARJUNA
A hero in the epos Mahabharata and thus also in the Bhagavad Gita, which
is a part of the epic poem. In the Gita, the archer Arjuna asks Krishna
about his purpose in life.
ARTHA
Sanskrit for wealth, property. Pursuing wealth or material advantage is
one of the four traditional aims in life, and should be adhered to.
Wealth helps order and social goings in so far as society rests on
wealth. Artha (wealth) must be regulated by righteousness (dharma), is
in the teaching too. To put wealth and three more aims in perspective,
see kama, dharma, and moksha too.
ARYA(S)
Indo-Aryans.
ASANA
Yogic posture; physical posture in which one is at ease and in harmony
with one's self. A bodily pose or posture.
ASHRAM(A)
(1) Any of the four stages of life of a Hindu, viz., Brahmacharya,
Garhasthya, Vanaprastha, and Sannyasa. (2) It is also a traditional name
referring to places where yoga is lived and taught; a home of a person
or group who lead a spiritual life. Hermitage; monastery.
ASHTANGA, ASHTANGA YOGA
It refers to Patanjali's yoga with eight steps or limbs, as laid bare in
his Yoga Sutras. It is claimed to be genuine royal yoga (raja yoga) too.
ASTEYA
Non-stealing.
ASURAS
Antigods.
ASURIC
Demoniac.
ASVATTA TREE
The holy fig tree, at times used as a symbol of the universe.
ATMA(N)
Individual soul; the Self, one's spirit. The highest or true self as
distinct from the consciousness of ego. There is no difference between
atman and paramatman except that caused by maya. The Atman (Self deep
inside) is not necessarily embodied.
ATMA-JNANA
Self-knowledge; i.e., knowledge of the Self.
ATMA-SVARUPA
The essential nature of the Self.
ATMA VICHARA
Inquiry into the Self.
AUM
A mantra (also spelled Om) which is described as the primordial sound;
the sound through which the manifest world comes into being. It is often
used as a sound-symbol of Brahman. In some Upanishadic texts it is
written that enlightenment may come from chanting this mantra alone,
which is used to open or close prayerful sessions etc. Aum may be heard
through a particular meditation technique.
AUM NAMAH SHIVAYA
A well known "universal mantra" that may be repeated by anyone, but also
a personal mantra that may be given by a guru at the time of initiation.
AUSHADHI
Name of the Goddess as Mother of Herbs and medicine.
AVADHUT
A naked sage, more specifically someone who transcends body and worldly
consciousness.
AVATAR(A)
Lit., 'descent', from Sanskrit 'avatarati' he descends, from 'ava', away
+ 'tarati', he crosses over. An avatar may be an incarnation (embodyment)
of a god or goddess into a human or animal form, or of divinity (more
abstract).
The Hindu god Vishnu, for example, is said to have incarnated many
times, as (1) a fish; (2), a tortoise, (3) a boar, (4) a man-lion, (5) a
dwarf, (6) Axe-Rama, (7) Rama, (8) Krishna, and (9) Balarama. Gautama
Buddha is in some of these lists too.
Avatarhood lore also counts with such as full (purna) and partial
embodiments of divinity. And some persons that appear to embody
admirable qualities, may be called avatars of those qualities.
The word may also represent one who incarnates a particular truth or
path on earth. Thus, Matsyendranath is the Avatar of the Kaula Jnana
Nirnaya Tantra.
AVIDYA
Not-knowing, i.e. ignorance of reality. Ignorance. spiritual blindness.
Illusion.
AYURVEDA
"Knowledge of longevity": Ancient and traditional Indian system of
medicine and medical practices coupled with rigorous ways of life and
recuperation adjustments too. Surgery was included in this system of
medicine too.
B
BABA
Bengali for 'father'. Thus, Sai Baba may be rendered as "Father Sai".
BABU
"Mister".
BANDHAS
Bandhas are a series of powerful locks designed to unlock blockages of
energy in the body. Mulbandha contracts an area around muladhara chakra
in the perineal area. Uddiyana bandha involves a contraction of the
abdominal area. Jalandhara bandha involves a contraction of the throat.
Mahabandha is a combination of all three locks.
BHAGA
The divine Enjoyer in man. Also: portion.
BHAGAVAN
The Lord (lit., one endowed with six attributes, such as great spiritual
power, righteousness, glory, splendour, knowledge. ( Any Godhead that
has been born; one of Love and Delight. Often rendered as Blessed Lord,
supreme Godhead-personality, a Person-of-Divinity born. "The Word made
flesh" may correspond quite nicely to it. According to Hindu thinking,
there can be more than one Bhagavan, more than one Person-God.
BHAGAVAD GITA
Literally, "Song of the Lord (Krishna)" A part of the very large
Mahabharata epic poem which contains Sri Krishna's teachings. It is a
looming 'chapter' within a section of the Sanskrit epic poem, and is, in
turn, subdivided into eighteen chapters itself. The Gita (song) takes
the form of a dialogue between a chariot-driving Krishna and the bowman
Arjuna, his friend, while they stand on the battlefield between two
armies on the brink of war. Arjuna is filled with doubt and questions
how good this particular warfare could be. Krishna, in turn, explains
what is called good and great. The Gita contains a medley of old
philosophies. A version of the text is available here. [LINK]
BHAGAVATA
Name of a Purana (a work dealing with doctrines of creation, gods and
myths, fabled kings and royal dynasties, teachings of sages, sayings for
living and so on). There are over 18 main Puranas. All these works along
with the Vedas are ascribed to the ancient expert of writing Vyasa. Yet
they hail different and in part much competing gods of the Hindu
pantheon. Siva Purana is one of them. Vishnu Purana is another,
Markandeya Purana still another.
BHAJAN
Devotional song. Bhajans are a form of chanting. Usually, they are
traditional Sanskrit passages, with several or many verses, and are sung
to traditional melodies. In such ways and others, spiritual texts were
passed on. In contrast kirtans are generally shorter and repeated many
times.
BHAKTA
A devotee, or a devotee of God.
BHAKTI
Devotion. Also, more loosely, the yoga of devotion, bhakti yoga, which
is one of the main branches of yoga.
BHAKTI-YOGA
Devotional yoga; path of devotion; a way of spiritual discipline.
BHARAT(A)
Land immersed in light; It can be taken to mean India nowadays. Pakistan
was not excluded earlier.
BHASTRIKA
A dynamic diaphragmatic breathing practice, known as bellows breathing,
in which the breath is forcibly drawn in and out in equal proportions
through the nostrils.
BHAVA(NA)
Essentially: attitude; continued contemplation (meditation); steady
concentration of mind. Also: deep feeling and that state of being,
according to Tantra.
BHUTA
Seed, or "root". Also beeja.
BHOGA
Sexual enjoyment. Enjoyment of the senses.
BHOGI
Enjoyer.
BHOJANA
Food. "That which is enjoyed": There are three types: "Lunar", composed
of sense impressions; "Solar", composed of the prana, or vital essences;
"Fiery", composed of edibles and water. So they say.
BHUH LOKA
Dimension of consciousness related to the dimension of earth and
mooladhara chakra.
BHUTA(S)
The five elements, "Ether", Air, Fire, Water, Earth. (Lit., what has
come into being, an entity as opposed to the unmanifested) Any of the
five elementary constituents of the world, called akasha (ether), vayu
(wind, air) agni or tejas (fire), ap (water) and kshiti, (earth)). These
five are called maha-bhutas or tanmatras too. According to Hindu
cosmogony - and Taoism too - these are manifestations of the Absolute,
as such they constitute whatever exists, being compounded with one
another. They start as subtle (fine) and then turn into gross bhutas
that serve in the make-up of the physical world. These are .
BHUVAH LOKA
Dimensions of consciousness related to the element of water and
swadhisthana chakra.
BIJA
Seed, or "root". A "root" or "seed" sound or syllable of a mantra
(sound). Sperm. Also beeja.
BINDU
The source; a drop; psychic centre, concentration point at the top back
of the head where the hair whorls. The point without a center from which
proceeds cosmic sound (nada): Dot. Semen.
BENARES (BANARAS)
A holy pilgrimage centre of Hindus, now called Varanasi. It is in Uttar
Pradesh, India.
BODHISATTVA
A being who, having developed the Awakening Mind (a mind infused with
the aspiration to attain the state of Buddhahood), devotes his life to
the task of achieving Buddhahood for the sake of sentient beings.
BRAHMA
The Creator of the Cosmos and priest of the gods, often called the
Grandfather. Learning, science, music, etc. have been described as some
of his great forces (shaktis).
BRAHMACHARYA
(a) Study years in youth. (b) Celibate student's stage. (c) Maintaining
celibacy.
BRAHMA-JNANA
Knowledge of Brahman.
BRAHMALOKA
The plane (loka) of Brahma, where fortunte ones enjoy communion with
God.
BRAHMAN
From the root 'brih', to grow, expand. (a) God or Pan (Omnipresence).
(b) Mind (consciousness) which allows growth to take place.
BRAHMANDA
The universe of gross and fine (subtle) entities.
BRAHMARANDHRA
The hole of Brahma, the spiritual centre at the top of the head.
BRAHMA-SUTRAS
Classical Vedantic scripture that is as well as impossible to understand
(needing commentaries).
BRAHMA-VIDYA
Knowledge of Brahman, learning pertaining to Brahman or the absolute
reality. Know-how of how to gain in Brahma mind.
BRAHMIN
Ideally, one who knows Brahma, Godhood inside.
BRIHADARANYAKA
One of the major Upanishads; they are ancient Hindu
religious-philosophical works.
BUDDHA
(Sanskrit, "The awakened one"). The Enlightened One. In Sanskrit his
clan name is Gautama and his personal name Siddhartha. "His mother, the
queen Maha Maya, dreamed that a white elephant had entered her womb. Ten
lunar months later, as she strolled in the garden of Lumbini, the child
emerged from under her right arm. He was able to walk and talk
immediately. A lotus flower blossomed under his foot at each step." And
she died seven days later. The prince enjoyed an opulent life and a had
a child with his woman, and left all to contemplate, well seated in a
meditative posture. One night, in the hours before dawn, he was
liberated throughout the universe. His life and teachings are elaborated
on here: [MORE] [Ebu "Buddha].
Also, according to traditions of Buddhism, there have been buddhas in
the past and will be buddhas in the future. Some forms of Buddhism hold
that the buddha nature (tathagatagarbha) lies deep within each one. All
forms of Buddhism celebrate his birth, enlightenment, and passing away
(final nirvana) into a state beyond suffering. "The life of the Buddha
was written and rewritten in India and across the Buddhist world,
elements added and subtracted as necessary . . . the motivation to
create a single life of the Buddha, beginning with his previous births
and ending with his passage into nirvana, occurred rather late in the
history of Buddhism." [Ebu "Buddha"]
BUDDHI
Discerning, discriminating aspect of mind; from the route "bodh" meaning
to be aware of, to know; intellect.
BUDDHI
Intellect.
C
CHAITANYA
Pure Consciousness.
CHAKRA
(a) Centres of energy in the human system. Wheel; vortex of prana;
psychic centre, "lotus". Chakras are subtle energy centres in the body:
The main chakras in the body are situated along the spinal column. (b)
Circle or wheel, often applied to the diagrams or yantras used in ritual
worship. (c) A place of worship.
CHANDOGYA
A Upanishad.
CHANDRA
Name of the Moon.
CHARVAKA
The founder of a materialistic school of thought; pertaining to this
school of thought.
CHELA
Disciple; pupil of a Guru.
CHIRANJIVI
One who has gained eternal life.
CHIT
Consciousness. Loosely
subconscious mind.
CHITTA
(a) Aspect of mind which receives impressions of the present experience
and stores it for future use. (b) Individual consciousness including the
subconscious and unconscious layers of the mind (memory, thinking,
concentration, attention, enquiry).
D
DAHARA VIDYA
Contemplation of the deity in the heart.
DAIVIC
Devic or divine.
DAKINI
A quite elemental embodiment of supernatural knowledge and ability.
DAMA
Control of senses.
DANDA
Rod.
DARSHAN(A)
(a) Vision, sight; (b) any system of Hindu philosophy.
DASNAMI
The sannyasa tradition of Shankarcharya consists of ten branches. They
are: Arana, Ashrama, Bharati, Giri (mountain), Parvati, Puri, Sagara,
Saraswati, Teertha and Vanam.
DATTATREYA
A Hindu guru of ancient times.
DAYA
Mercy.
DEVA(S)
Literally: Shining ones. God(s); heavenly beings, angels.
DEVA-YAJNA
A sacrificial rite enjoined on householders.
DEVI
Goddess or shakti: There are many devis, or aspects of a primordial
goddess that is Devi.
DHARANA
Concentration on one point, one-pointed attention. The sixth "limb" of
ashtanga yoga (qv).
DHARMA
Duty, what needs to be done. Righteous way of living as enjoined by
scriptures, virtue. The term relates to laws and obligations according
to such as stage of life and class.
DHOTI
Unstitched cloth used as lower garment.
DHYANA
Contemplation, "meditation", also called Zen; the seventh rung in the
ladder of Patanjali's eightfold yoga, and hence a facet of
interiorisation of the mind. Sanskrit dhyana came to be called Ch'an in
Chinese and Zen in Japanese.
DIKSHA
Initiation (into any form of spiritual discipline); from the verb 'see'
or 'concentrate'.
DIVALI
Festival of Light, traditional celebration in India honouring the
goddess Lakshmi.
DUKHA
Pain, suffering.
DVAPARA YUGA
Second great period of time described in old Hindu works, especially the
Laws of Manu. The term is much similar to the Bronze Age.
DVIJA
"Twice-born". In the Hindu social system, members of the three upper
social classes are regarded as twice-born. They are the Brahmans
(priests and teachers), Kshatriya (warriors), and Vaisya (traders,
merchants). Their sacrament (initiation rite), where they are invested
with a cotton thread, is regarded as a second or spiritual birth, and
signifies that the male child enters the life of a student (brahmacarin)
and is accepted as a regular member of his community. The thread
consists of a loop made of three knotted and twisted strands. It is
replaced regularly to be worn throughout the lifetime of the owner,
normally over the left shoulder and diagonally across the chest to the
right hip. However, less and less persons observe the initiation
ceremony.
More specifically, the second birth is said to have taken place during
the student's initiation when the guru (holy teacher) to the student
imparts to him the Gayatri mantra, which is a sacred verse of the
Rigveda.
E
EKAGRA
The state of one-pointed attention.
EKAGRATA
(a) One-pointed attention, i.e. one-pointedness. (b) Concentrating on
one thing at a time.
EMKARA
The syllable "Aing", also written "Aim" - seed mantra associated with
Tara and Sarasvati (goddesses).
F
FOURTH (STATE)
"Turiya". Super-mind, super-mentality above waking, dreaming, and
sleeping. Also, super-consciousness.
G
GANDHARVA
Celestial musicians on the plane (loka) of Indra.
GARBHA
The womb.
GAUNA
Secondary, indirect.
GAYATRI MANTRA
A very old three-line verse from the Rigveda; "Om bhuh bhuvah swaha /
tat savator varenium / bargo devasya de mahe / deya yona prachodhyat".
There are variants of spelling and interpretations of it. One is:
"We meditate on the supreme splendour of Savitr (sunlight) that he may
inspire our intelligence."
The three-lined mantra is a gift from the Vedic seer Vishvamitra. It is
found in the third book of the Rigveda (3;62;10). "May we attain that
excellent glory of Savitar the God / So may he stimulate our prayers."
(Ralph Griffith's translation).
It is a blessing recited at sunrise, noon and sunset. The words hail
divine deeds as well as being "Sunlit" from above, that is, well
inspired. Our role may be to bring the inner light of inspired bliss to
fruition. As it is said, Gayatri is for "new insight and inspiration or
to increase memory and concentration [and much else]". Many Hindus today
hold that the Gayatri mantra is not restricted to any certain community,
but is a treasure for all the world, and properly belongs to humanity.
The next verse of the Savitri lines (3;62;11) shows that more verses are
very fine too. And the prayer to pure Brihaspati (3;62;5) for power that
none can bend is fit for some as well.
GITA
Song, often rendered 'words'.
GRANTHI
Knot.
GRIHASTHA
Householder.
GUNA
A term of the samkhya philosophy, where it is held that matter has three
qualities; sattva, rajas, and tamas. Tamas is supposed to be intertia or
laziness, i.e., something quite passive; Rajas activity; and Sattva
'goodness' and 'nobleness'. Hence, the gunas are classification devices,
a guna is a classificatory attribute, or suggested quality.
GURU
(Sanskrit: "venerable"). The guru and his pupil(s) work together, and
the guru is to be treated with respect. Guide in a spiritual life;
teacher, dispeller of a certain ignorance or 'darkness'; can be 'uplifter'
also.
GURUPARAMPARA
A serial line of teachers.
GYANA
Wisdom; path of understanding and knowledge. Also written Jnana.
H
HAM
Bija mantra (seed mantra) for vishuddhi chakra.
HAMSA
"Swan" (duck and goose too in ancient Sanskrit), a mantra (ie,
syllables) used by some to meditate on. The proper pronunciation of this
mantra is different frow how the word is written, and there are
different ways of practice too. Research into the middle range and long
range effects appears to be missing.
HATHA YOGA
To millions of Westerners this is a yoga of stretching and tensing parts
of the while conforming to certain well composed body postures. It goes
deeper than mere stretching; its yoga practices seek to redress or
balance ha and tha energies, solar and lunar energies and also other
pranic (vital) currents of body and mind. "Sun-moon yoga" exercises for
better physical health.
HATHA YOGA PRADIPIKA
classic text on yoga. [Hat]
HIMALAYA, HIMAVAT
Lit., 'the domain of snow'. the mountain range is said to be the father
of the Goddess.
HINDU CALENDER:
Chaitra - 30 days (March - April)
Vaishaka - 31 days (April - May)
Jyaistha - 31 days ( May - June)
Asadha - 31 days ( June - July)
Srawana - 31 days (July - August)
Bhadrapada - 31 days (August - September)
Asvina - 30 days (September - October)
Kartikka - 30 days (October - November)
Magasirsa - 30 days ( November - December)
Pousha - 30 days (December - January)
Magha - 30 days (January - February)
Phalguna - 30 days (February - March)
Indian days of the week
Ravi㲡 - Sunday (day of Sun)
Somav㲡 - Monday (day of Moon)
Mav㼯strong> - Tuesday (day of Mars)
Budhav㲡 - Wednesday (day of Mercury)
Guruv㼯strong> - Thursday (day of Jupiter)
Sukrav㲡 - Friday (day of Venus)
Saniv㲡 - Saturday (day of Saturn)
HIRANYAGARBHA
Cosmic intelligence; the supreme lord of the universe; cosmic mind.
HONG-SAU
See HAMSA.
HRIDAYA
Heart.
HRIDAYAKASHA
Heart space of feelings and anahata chakra.
HRIM
A mantra of maya shakti. It is pronounced "Hreem".
HUM
Mantra governing the solar force; a part of the hamsa (hang saw) sound.
I
ICCHA
The Will.
IDA
The (lunar) nadi going about the central Sushumna nadi. The nadi is also
connected with the left nostril and a receptive (or passive) mentality.
INDRA
The king of the gods; controller of the senses. The ruler of (Indra's)
heaven.
INDRIYAS
The senses, the forces which rule the mind.
ISHTA
Lit., object of desire. A symbol of divinity. The One one feels
particularly for; the chosen Ideal, the particular divine form through
which a spiritual aspirant contemplates on God; also, sacrificial rite.
ISHTA DEVATA
Same as ishta (qv). Chosen goddess or chosen god - .
ISHVARA
Light-Lord; God in the shape or garb of subtle inner light.
J
JAGAT
"That which is always going", that is, the phenomenal world, that is,
the world.
JAGRAT
Waking state of consciousness.
JAGRIT
Conscious mind.
JANAH LOKA
The dimension of consciousness related to vishuddhi chakra and the space
element.
JAPA(M)
Repetition, repetition of such as a sound or sound medley (mantra).
JEWELS OF THE NATHS
There are three of them: Sama, equipoise; Samarasa, seeing self as the
world, and the world in the self; and Sahaja, spontaneous naturalism.
JIVA
The individual soul and incarnated Atma(n).
JIVAMUKTA
(Lit., liberated while living) One who is liberated in this life while
still in the body.
JIVAN
Literally: living being. The individual soul which in essence is one
with the Universal Soul.
JIVAN MUKTI
Soul freedom gained while still in the body.
JIVATMA(N)
Individual soul and its consciousness. The embodied soul.
JNANA
Knowledge; wisdom. Also written gyana.
JNANA-YOGA
One of four paths (margas), or modes of living, for yogis, in which the
attention is interiorised. The other three paths are karma-yoga,
raja-yoga, bhakti-yoga.
JNANENDRIYAS or JNANA-INDRIYAS
The five organs of knowledge with five senses of perception.
JNANI
(Pronounced Nyani) A wise person, a discriminating person. The word is
often used to denote a non-dualist.
JYOTI
Light, name.
JYOTISH
Astronomy; (also, Astrology).
K
KAIVALYA
Emancipation in the sense of independence of the soul from the body or
matter, hence a state of absolute independence. Liberation of
consciousness from an individuation.
KALA
Time, star etc. Part or division of one whole process or thing.
KALAGNIRUDRA
The fire at the end of time which burns up the whole cosmic play.
KALI
Destructing sakti (force, energy, prowess as personified mainly in Hindu
iconography).
KALI YUGA
The "dark age", or "iron age" - the era of Kali, the destructress. The
lowest of four eras of Hinduism, namely Krita (Satya), Treta, Dwapara,
and Kali. Some details are given in Laws of Manu, chap. 1:68 ff.
KALPA
An age. See yuga.
KAMA
Desire. One of the four main goals in life in Hindu living, along with
obtaining wealth, being righteous, and release from life's toils. In
Sanskrit words: artha (wealth), kama, dharma (righteousness etc.), and
moksha (release). Kama is also shown as the god of erotic love, lust and
sexuality. What is required for procreation. As such he seems like Ares
of ancient Greeks in dominant portrayed traits or features.
KAMAKHYA PITHA
Seat of the goddess; a place especially sacred.
KARMA
Actions operating through the law of cause and effect, or action in the
manifest or unmanifest dimension; law of cause and effect; deep
impressions in life which make us think, feel and act in particular
ways. This theorized "action" or results of doing" is ascribed to the
inevitable law of cause and effect and may last over lifetimes, it is
held.
KARMA YOGA (KARMA-YOGA)
Path of action; a path of activity as delineated in the Bhagavad Gita
and other places. It aspires to harmonious activity.
KARMA-INDRIYAS
Organs of action: tongue, hands, feet, genital organ and anus.
KARMASRAYA
Receptacle of actions.
KARTIKKEYA
A son of shiva
also known as skanda or subrahmana
His vehicle is a cockerel.
KARUNA
Compassion.
KASHAYA
Hidden desires.
KHECHARA
One who can move in the Expanse of Consciousness = Shiva.
KHECHARI MUDRA
Lightly placing the underside of the tip of the tongue against the upper
palate.
KINNARAS
Spirits who are half human and half beast in the service of Kubera.
KIRTAN
(a) Singing devotional songs. (b) Mantras which are sung to music.
KOSHA(S)
(Lit., sheath, scabbard) A sheath enclosing the soul, monad. Five
sheaths ("envelopes"), one outside the other: the sheath of bliss,
anandamaya; of intelligence, vigyanamaya; of mind, manomaya; of vital
energy, pranamaya; and of food (or physical matter), annamaya. Hence,
the kosha is a form; a sheath aligned with a plane or level of
existence.
KRI
Action, motion.
KRISHNA
"The black (or dark brown) one", the eighth incarnation of God Vishnu,
described in the epic poem Mahabharata and the Bhagavata
KRITA YUGA
The great era, the "golden" age, such a period of time. The same as
satya yuga, the age of truthfulness, etc. as laid out in Laws of Manu,
chapter 1, v. 68 ff, etc.
KRIYA SHAKTI
The energy or shakti of action.
KRIYA
The same as kriya yoga (qv) in some circles.
KRIYA-YOGA
The same as kriya yoga and kriyayoga. In one of its meanings it stands
for a certain pranayama method. In a wider sense it stands for a
complete systems of such methods, and is a part of the more general
concept of "raja yoga" in such cases. The basic kriya yoga method (in
the strict, narrow sense), consists in breathing in and out in
particular ways that used to be very secret formerly. Hence, kriya yoga
consists of one or more techniques that involve the movement of prana
and consciousness aimed at reaching inwardness of mind (dhyana,
contempation).
One additional meaning: Kriya is also a type of of exercise in Hatha
Yoga.
KRIYA-YOGI
One who practices kriya yoga (qv). There are different levels of
attainment, and many graded techniques into it.
KSHATRIYA
The war caste of leaders and business magnates etc. See varna.
KULA
"Clan": A shakti or energy: Some build, some maintain, and some
whithdraw.
KUMARI
Virgin.
KUNDALINI
(a) The "coiled fire snake", a latent energy in muladhara chakra at the
base of the spine, used for rising inwardly. (b) Also defined as the
primordial cosmic energy located in the individual.
KUNDALINI YOGA
Practices for the awakening of kundalini.
KUSHA
Sacred grass
Used in certain ceremonies.
L
LAHIRI MAHASAYA
The most common way of referring to Shyama Charan Lahiri (1828-95).
Another is Lahiri Baba. In 1861 he was initiated in a formerly secret
kriya-yoga by his guru, and later initiated about 5000 persons in it.
There are bibliographies of him on the Web.
LAKH
The number 100,000, or a great number.
LAKSHA
Points in the body which are to be meditated upon.
LALITA
(a) Collective form of Will, Knowledge, Action. (b) Sexual aspect of
shakti.
LAM
Bija (seed) mantra for muladhara chakra.
LAYA YOGA
Meditation practice involving dissolving different stages of
consciousness.
LAYA
Merging; dissolution.
LILA
Play; sport; game.
LINGA(M)
The phallic symbol of masculinity, associated with Shiva.
LINGA-SARIRA
The subtle body, the astral body.
LOKAPALAS
World protectors: there are four, represented by the equinoxes and
solstices.
LOKAS
(a) Realms or planes of existence that can be inhabited by different
beings. (b) Also: evolution stages or levels. Dimensions. Main ones:
bhuh, bhuvah, swah, mahah, janah, tapah, and satya.
M
MADYA
Wine.
MAGHAVAN
The same as Indra.
MAHA AKASHA
great space; observation of consciousness related with manipura chakra
which is bright like the middle of the sun.
MAHA
Great.
MAHABHARATA
A Hindu epic.
MAHADEVA
"Great God", an epithet for Shiva.
MAHADEVI
The Great Goddess.
MAHAH LOKA
Dimension of consciousness related to anahata chakra and the element of
air maha prana. Space and cosmic energy.
MAHANT
Great sage.
MAHAPURUSHA
A great soul.
MAHARISHI (MAHARSI)
Great seer.
MAHASAMADHI
The departure of a Self-realized saint from his mortal coil. It can also
refer to a tomb.
MAHAT
"the great", unmanifest mind
MANAS
buddhi, chitta, ahamkara.
MAHATMA
Great soul.
MAHA-YUGA
"great age".
MAITHUNA
the sexual instinct; love-making in Tantra Yoga, i.e., tantric union or
ritual sexual intercourse.
MAITRI
Friendship.
MALA
Rosary, a garland usually composed of 108 beads; an aid to meditation
practise.
MANAS
Mind, aspect of manifest mind involved in experiences of sensory
perception and thought etc.
MANDALA
Diagram within a circumference symbolising the deeper aspects of man's
psyche; complex geometrical symbol merging macrocosmic and microcosmic
events.
MANIPURA
Chakra located at the spine behind behind the navel. It is associated
with strength and power.
MANOMAYA KOSHA
the mind sheath or the mind realm.
MANTRA
Runic sound medley; subtle sound vibrations which may be good for man.
Mantras are thought to be words with inherent power, also set of words
to repeat and focus on on and on inwardly.
MANTRA DIKSHA
an initiation practice involving receiving a mantra from a guru.
MANTRA YOGA
Using mentally intoned sound vibrations for meditation.
MANTRAJA
The shaktis (devis, or "energies") created from the spiritual process of
uttering mantras.
MARG(A)
Path or way.
MAUNA
Silence, keeping still.
MAYA
Figure, or Figuring. According to Paramahansa Ramakrishna, Maya projects
and withdraws the world. This universe is maya, asserts swami
Vivekananda. Maya is the Goddess who causes the world perception through
the twin "powers" of projecion and concealment of projection. Maya
causes an ordered perception of various energy patterns. Maya is
etymologically akin to 'to measure', 'show forth', and thus to art too.
Maya is "the matrix or frame in which the name-form complex finds its
base".
Monier-Williams etymologically defines maya as deriving from the root ma
or "measuring". When one adds the suffix ya to the root ma it can be
defined as "relating to measuring". ... maya can also be understood in
this manner in Sankara's religious-speculative system Advaita Vedanta.
Maya measures out such as language and maya itself so that knowledge of
Brahman [gnosis] can be actualised. And "Maya is a statement of ... how
it is going on." - Vivekananda [Via 222]
MAYAVADIN
One who professes that the world is maya (qv), meaning illusion.
MERU
In Hindu mythology, central mountain of the earth and abode of gods.
MIRABAI (1450?-1547?)
A celebrated princess, mystic and poet. Her sweet and charming songs of
devotion to Krishna are widely popular.
MOKSHA
Freedom. Also: Ultimate freedom from material bondage. Moksha is one of
the four great Hindu aims or duties set up for humans along with Dharma,
Artha and Kama.
MOUNA
(or mauna) silence; measured silence. Also the vow of silence.
MOUNI
One who observes silence.
MRIDANGA
A type of drum.
MUDRA
Symbolic gesture which aims at redirecting certain subtle energies..
MUKTI
Liberation.
MULADHARA, MULADHARA CHAKRA
Basic pranic and psychic centre. Its focal point, which is the "seat of
kundalini" is at the perineum.
MULBANDHA
A certain contraction at the muladhara.
MUNI
Sage.
MURTI
Idol.
N
NACHIKETAS (NAKIKETAS)
The spiritual seeker mentioned in the Katha Upanishad.
NADA
Mystic, inner, subtle sound.
NADI
Channel or "meridian", a passage through which energy and the "hooked",
concomitant consciousness can flow.
NADI SHODHANA
Alternate nostril breathing is a balancing pranayama.
NAGAS
Serpent spirits.
NASIKAGRA DRISHTI
Gazing at the nose tip is a mudra.
NAULI
A Hatha yoga practice that may be good for the abdominal area.
NECTAR
Same as Amrita.
NIDRA
isolation from the senses and the mind; sleep.
NIRVANA
Liberated state and the final emancipation.
NIRVIKALPA SAMADHI (Also: Nirbikalpa)
Samadhi (absorption) without illusion. It is a superconscious state
where there is no modification of the mind.
NIVRITTI
Cessation.
NIYAMA
Restraint(s), or Do's. The second of the eight limbs of Patanjali's yoga
discipline. The niyamas are observance of purity, contentment,
austerities, etc
NYASA
"Applying" drawn energy for a purpose such as transferring power to a
candidate during initiation.
O
OJAS
Sexually related energy.
OM
(same as Aum). Universal mantra; root mantra (monosyllable) for ajna
chakra; the sound symbol of Brahman.
OM TAT SAT
(Lit., Om That Reality.) A threefold designation of Brahman (Godhead)
OMKARA
The same as OM or AUM.
P
PADA
Feet.
PADMA
"Lotus".
PANCHA
Five.
PARA SHAKTI
Supreme Shakti in whom all the other Shaktis reside.
PARA
Beyond etc.
PARAM(A)HAMSA
A religious title, literally "supreme swan (goose, duck)". It is given
to someone who is thought to be able to discern well, and to some
sannyasins, or "world-renouncers", in Hinduism.
PARAMPARA
Line of succession.
PARVATI
Lit., 'she from the mountain'. Name of the Goddess as daughter of the
Himalaya etc.
PASHU
Literally "a beast", may mean a human being who is ignorant and
uninitiated, or animal nature:
PATANJALI
The ascribed author of the Yoga-Sutras, which explain facets of the Yoga
system (philosophy), one of the six systems of orthodox Hindu philosopy.
His very short treatise deals with focusing and its methods, mind
elevation through focus of thinking, and so on. Patanjali (Gonikaputra)
is thought to have flourished in the 2nd century BC. His work arranges
yogic thought in four very short books with the titles "Psychic Power",
"Practice of Yoga", "Samadhi", and "Kaivalya" (liberation).
The Yoga-sutras seem to have been written over several centuries: The
first three books in the 2nd century BC, and the last book in the 5th
century AD. The last book was possibly written in Patanjali's name, a
practice that was customary in India in earlier times. Hence,
authorities differ widely as to how many authors there were amd when
Patanjali lived. [Ebu, "Patanjali"]
PHAT
"Crack", the thunderbolt mantra used to drive off disturbing spirits.
Fingers are usually snapped around the head while saying it.
PINGALA
Nadi (vessel) connected with the right nostril conducting active vital
energy; the solar aspect; the dynamic aspect. Pingala nadi is opposite
Ida nadi, they curve around the central Sushumna nadi, according to the
theory.
PRADAKSHINA
Walking clockwise in a temple as a form of worship.
PRAJNA
True wisdom: A higher mode of knowing.
PRAKRITI
Materialized nature and the basis of the three Gunas ("shadow
qualities").
PRAMANA
Means of knowledge.
PRANA
The vital breath which sustains life in a physical body. Life energy, a
force which governs health and its waning. In books of Yoga prana has
five specialised functions: (1) prana which controls the breath; (2)
apana which carries downward unassimilated food and drink; (3) vyana
which pervades the whole body; (4) udana, by which one vomits etc.; (5)
samana, which carries nutrition throughout the body. Thus, there are
several pranas ("prana functions") in the body, it is said. Apart from
being the body's energy, prana may also be rendered as life breath.
Prana further denotes God having attributes (Saguna Brahman), and
Spirit.
PRANAMAYA KOSHA
the dimension (sheath) of energy.
PRANAVA
The Om sound.
PRANAYAM(A)
"Life breath control". Practices involving regulations of inhalation,
exhalation and perhaps also retention of the breath in certain ways. The
generic name 'pranayama' includes many techniques for doing yoga and/or
meditation. What is called kriya-yoga is a set of techniques, one of
which is very typically a smart pranayama method.
PRATIMA
Image.
PRATYAHARA
A certain withdrawal of the attention from the senses in Patanjali's
yoga system.
PRAYOGA
Application (uses).
PREM(A)
Divine Love.
PREMAVATAR
From prem (love) and avatar (descension of divinity), hence, a
divine-love incarnation. It is a title.
PRITHVI
Earth.
PSYCHOLOGY OF YOGA
Yoga divides the mind into buddhi (intellect, intuition), manas (sensory
perception and thought), chitta (memory), and ahamkara (central "I"
core).
PUJA
Worship.
PURANA
"Ancient". Hindu myths and legends. A class of Sanskrit literature about
various gods. There are eighteen so-called major Puranas.
PURUSHA
(Lit., person.) A term of samkhya philosophy, denoting the individual
consciousness. In Vedanta it denotes Self. Other variations: (a) Pure,
unmanifested consciousness. (b) The Supreme Being.
R
RAJA
King.
RAJA-YOGA
An eightfold path classified by ancient Patanjali. Its beginning steps
are yama (five don't's); niyama (five do's); asana (posture); pranayama
(handling of the vital breath); pratyahara (spontaneous inward-switching
of the attentiveness); dharana (concentration); dhyana (steadied inward
attentiveness), samadhi ( the culmination (samadhi) of the
inward-turning). The eight stages form a sadhana (discipline) of rising
into subtlety.
There are levels of accomplishments above the eight stages too. In deep
inward-turning one focuses on different "things" to develop "in
ascending degrees". This final stage is samyana, as seen in Patanjali
3:4 and further. For example "By perfectly concentrated Meditation [sanyama]
on sympathy, compassion and kindness, is gained the power of interior
union with others." [Patanjali 3:23]
RAJA-YOGI
One who follows some of the disciplines of raja-yoga (qv).
RAJAS
The activity guna, one of the three postulated qualities.
RAM
Seed (root) mantra for manipura chakra.
RAMAYANA
The epic story of the life of Rama. It is figured.
RASA
Taste.
RIGVEDA, RIKVEDA
The first of the four Vedas. It consists of hymns, riks, to Vedic gods.
[ONLINE]
RISHI
Seer; sage. Maharishi means great seer, thus great sage.
RISHIKESH
A place in the Himalayas.
RITAM
Order, evolving reality.
RUPA
Form, outward form.
S
SADHAKA
Spiritual aspirant.
SADHANA
"Direct way". Spiritual practice, a spiritual discipline.
SADHU
Holy man, ascetic, world-renouncer. It may be a yogi.
SAGAR(A)
Ocean.
SAHAJA
Spontaneity. Joy, naturalness, and amorality are said to be spontaneous
creations.
SAHASRARA CHAKRA
The focal point is at the crown of the head, and represents pure,
unchanging consciousness.
SAKSHI
Witness.
SAKTI, SHAKTI
Power, energy.
SAM OR SAN
Prefix meaning total, harmonious.
SAMA VEDA
Veda of chants; one of the four Vedas.
SAMA
Mind control.
SAMADHI
Absorption, Mind merging with inner, higher consciousness forms,
including absoluteness.
SAMADRISHTI
"Equal vision", i.e., seeing all things as equal.
SAMARASA
One sees himself as the world and the world as being in himself (or
herself), etc.
SAMBAND(A)
(Just as in the New Norwegian word 'samband' and meaning the same:)
Connection.
SAMSARA
Often: the outer world. It is the wheel or ocean of life and death, the
wheel of time - 'All together flowing'.
SAMSKARA
Impressions inside, often in the subconscious mind.
SAMVIT
Consciousness.
SAMYAMA
Applied, transcendental focusing through converged attentiveness. See
also sanyama below. Patanjali Yoga shows steps to it and practices.
SANDHYA BHASHA
Writings which seem to mean one thing, while they mean something else.
They can use very figurative writing or very brief (and thus more
cryptic) basics which need to be expanded on.
SANGSARA
Same as Samsara.
SANKALPA
(Deep) resolve; determination or conviction.
SANKARA
See Shankara.
SANKHYA, SAMKHYA
One of the six orthodox Indian philosophies.
SANKIRTAN
Singing of divine songs.
SANNYASA
Renunciation etc.
SANNYASIN
One who renounces worldly living and embraces renunciations.
SANSKRIT
Ancient Indo-Aryan language from which many modern languages are
derived. A relative of ancient Persian, Greek and Latin.
SANTOSH(A)
contentment; acceptance of life.
SANYAMA
Flow of converging pratyahara, dharana and dhyana. The same as samyama (qv).
SARASWATI
Goddess (with power, prowess) of creativity, music, wisdom, art, science
etc. Mantra: 'Aim'.
SATCHITANANDA
Existence-Knowledge-Bliss.
SATSANG(A)
Association with the wise.
SATTVA
Purity, one of the three non-substantial and possibly made up gunas.
SATTWIKA (SATTVIC)
Having sattwa predominantly in one's nature and thus endowed with
purity, equanimity and clear vision. See Sattva.
SATYA
Truth, reality. Also - establishing oneself in truth.
SATYA LOKA
A dimension of consciousness related to sahasrara (the chakra or lotus
of the large brain; thought to be the highest seat of attentive,
converged consciousness in man.
SAUCHA
Contentment.
SATYA YUGA (Krita Yuga)
'Satya' means truth, and 'yuga' means era. Thus, the Age of Truth and
integrity, the best of the four eras proposed in Laws of Manu (Manu
Samhita), 1:68 ff.
SAVIKALPA SAMADHI (Sabikalpa samadhi)
Samadhi combined with sense, verbal knowledge.
SHABDA
Sound, the sensation of sound; normally unheard sound; physical,
"struck" sound.
SHAKTI
Energy.
SHAKTI BANDHAS
A series of asana to release blocked energy.
SHAKTI
An energy or power: feminine counterpart to a god of the Hindu pantheon,
especially of Shiva. It is also power, drive and force around or inside
a person.
SHAMBHAVI MUDRA
Focusing the open or closed eyes on the eyebrow centre.
SHANKARA, SANKARA, SHANKARACHARYA (AD 700?-750?)
A philosopher and pupil of Gaudapada, believing that plurality and
differentiation is illusory. He came to be regarded as the foremost
exponent of the Advaita Vedanta philosophy. With a lucid and profound
style of writing he emphasised a psychological and religious approach to
Truthhood (God, Brahman) (qv). He was often held to be a "Buddhist in
disguise" by opponents, because his doctrine is similar to Mahayanic
Buddhism. But the basic structure of his philosophy may be more akin to
samkhya (qv). [MORE]
SHANKARACHARYA
Adi ('the first'), reformer of the Hindu swami order. Same as Shankara
(above). Also, a leader of the monastic order (of swamis) that was
reformed and solidified by Adi (the first) Shankara. There are five
seats for Shankaracharyas spread out in India. Maharishi Mahesh Yogi's
guru, Brahmananda, also known as Guru Dev held a Shankaracharya
position.
SHANTI
Peace. It can be repeated three times after a fervent utterance and
prayer.
SHASTRA
Collection of knowledge.
SHISHYA
Disciple.
SHIVA, SIVA
The Destroyer God. The third of a Godhead-trinity: Brahma (Creator),
Vishnu (Upholder, Deceiver, etc.), and Siva (Destroyer, Burner).
SLOKA
Short verse.
SHRI CHAKRA
A yantra (geometrical figure, often symmetrically shaped.
SHRIM
Mantra of the goddess Lakshmi, who is also known as Shri. It is
pronounced "Shreem".
SHRUTI (SRUTI)
(Lit., anything heard). Revealed knowledge. The Vedas.
SIDDHA
(a) Master; one who has become perfected or realized (enlightened). (b)
One who possesses occult powers, siddhis.
SIDDHI(S)
Hidden powers; or ppower; perfection.
SIVA
The same as Shiva. Lord Siva.
SKANDA
Same as Karttikeya and Murugan, a son of Siva's.
SLOKA
The chief verse form of the Sanskrit epics. A fluid metre that lends
itself well to improvisation. it may serve us like a stanza, that is, a
series of lines arranged together. Cf. sleka.
SMRITI
(a) Ancient work handed over by memory. (b) Memory, one of the five
vrittis.
SOMA
(a) Moon deity. (b) Psychoactive plant mentioned in the Vedas.
SPOTHA
An eternal Sound according to the orthodox Hindu school of philosophy
called Mimamsa.
SRADDHA
Faith.
SRI
Auspicious, holy, also written shri and shree. "Sri" before a name
suggests reverence, or just courtesy and auspiciousness. In "Sri
Yukteswar" (or 'Sriyukteswar') the 'sri' appellation forms part of a
monk's name. The honoric prefix is also used with celebrated books. It
can also be used like the English term Mr.
STOTRA
Hymn.
SUKSHMA
Fine, subtle; belonging to a subtler order of existence than the solid
physical.
SUSHUMNA
Central nadi (subtle vessel) along the spine. It is hoped to be
activated through balancing the currents of ida and pingala nadis etc.
It is held to be the way to transcendence.
SUTRA
"Thread", aphorism. A book of aphorisms.
SVAHA
"Hail"
SVARUPA
One's own form. Essential nature; reality. Same as swarupa (qv).
SWA
Self.
SWADHISTHANA CHAKRA
Concentration point at the base of the spinal column; "one's own abode".
SWADHYAYA
Self analysis is included in it.
SWAH LOKA
Dimension of consciousness related to manipura chakra ("the wheel for
the navel area") and the fire element.
SWAMI
Hindu monk. Its literal meaning is "one with the self".
SWARUPA
The true form: One's own form. se also svarupa.
SWASTI
"May it be auspicious". It can be used for benediction.
T
TAMAS
inertia, one of the three postulated qualities of nature along with
rajas and sattva.
TANMATRA
Subtle, undifferentiated root elements of matter.
TANTRA
The hidden side of the Vedas and Vedic living, according to some.
Tantras include philosophy and culture which deals with the
transcendence of human nature: strengthening or evolution of man and
liberation of bound-up energies.
TAPAH LOKA
Realm or level of consciousness related to ajna chakra (the focus centre
between the eyebrows, a centre of control).
TAPAS
Austerities, mortification, etc. through continued effort, heat
TAT
That.
TATTVA
Element. "truth thing", i.e., principle. Five elements, namely: prithvi,
jal, agni (heat), vayu (wind), akasha (ether).
TEJAS
fire; tip of the flame; brilliance.
TIRTHA
Ford or bathing place.
TRATAK(A)
Gazing at a fixed point. It is used in contemplation, as described in
some books of yoga, for example Tibetan Yoga and Secret Doctrines,
edited by W. Y. Evans-Wents: ""Place a small ball . . . in front of thee
as an object upon which to concentrate thy thought . . . fix thy gaze
upon the object one-pointedly." [Tiy 122]
In some forms of yoga the attention gets riveted at the area between the
eyebrows with the eyes turned somewhat upward and the eyelids "somewhat
closed".
TRETA YUGA
Third great era of a cycle proposed by Manu and others. It corresponds
somewhat to the silver age of ancient Greeks.
TRIGUNATMIKA
Characterised by three traits, namely sattwa, rajas, and tamas; or an
attribute of Becoming.
TRIPLE BLESSING
"Shanti, Shakti, Shambhu." It means, Peace, Power, Plenty." "Progress"
might be included among the P-words, though.
TRISHNA
Sense-hankering.
TURIYA
The fourth state. It transcends the waking, dreaming and deep sleep
states, and is sometimes called superconsciousness.
TYAGA
Letting go of attachments, often involving abandonment, relinquisment,
renunciation
.
U
UDDIYANA BANDHA
Leaning forwards, resting hands on knees and pulling the abdominal
organs up and in, and "feeding a flow of energy" by this means. It is a
main exercise in Hatha yoga.
UJJAYI PRANAYAMA
slightly contracting the glottis of the throat so the breath makes a
light snoring sound; a deep relaxing breath used often in meditation
practices.
UPADESA
Spiritual advice.
UPANISHAD
The Upanishads are major books in Hinduism. The word "upanishad" is
taken to mean "The sitting down at the feet of a teacher to listen to
his words." In the old times upanishads were often secret doctrines. The
two basic types are Agamic Upanishads and Vedic Upanishads. Paul Deussen
has translated sixty of them. [So] [MORE]
UPEKSHA
Indifference. Beyond caring.
V
VAIRAGYA
Non-attachment. It can work as freedom from too gross desires as well.
VAJRA
(a) Adamantine. (b) Thunderbolt.
VAM
Root mantra for swadhisthana chakra.
VAMA MARG(A)
Left-hand path, or left-turning path. It signifies a reversal of
conventional practices. Many of its methods may give a quicker and more
direct fare - one that can be dangerous too, at least to some..
VAMA
Left. Woman. Excrement. What is vomited.
VARNA
Caste. Any of the four primary social groups - ideally according to
qualifications and vocations - in actual practice through birth almost
always. brahmana (priests, teachers, law-makers); kshatriya ((awrriors
and kings), vaishya (traders, bankers, industialists and farmers);
shudra or sudra (labourers requiring dexterity).
VARUNA
A Hindu deity as presented in the Rikveda. It shares hallmarks with
Poseidon/Neptune.
VASANAS
Subtle desires.
VAYU
Wind, air; a Hindu deity; prana or energy flow as in pancha vayu: prana,
apana, samana, udana, vyana.
VEDAS
The oldest Indo-Aryan scriptures. These most ancient, extensive texts
detail rituals and duties in life. Veda, from the root 'vid', means
"knowledge" and also stands for "ritual lore". The four main Vedas are
the Rik (Rig), Yajur, Sama, and Atharva. They can be difficult to
understand.
VEDANTA
(Lit., the essence or concluding parts of the Vedas.) The texts of
Upanishads and the school of philosophy based on them: Some Veda texts
contain Vedanta portions.
The orthodox Vedanta system of philosophy contains a series of ancient
philosophical treatises, often in the form of dialogues between guru and
disciple, in which looming topics of life are speculated about, and ways
of living are conformed to. Vedanta as a school of thought relates to
and builds on major Upanishads, the Bhagavad Gita, and the Brahma Sutra
[Bik].
VEDANTIN
(a) One who knows the Vedas. (b) One who follows the path of Vedanta.
VETALA
Vampire.
VETTA
Knower.
VICHARA
Inquiry into the nature of the Self, Truth, Absolute, Brahman.
VIDYA
Knowledge.
VIDYA GUPTA
Secret oral traditions.
VIJNANAMAYA KOSHA
The sheath of subtle wisdom inside the human.
VIKALPA
Doubt.
VIKSHEPA
The tossing of mind.
VIKSHIPTA
The dissipated or oscillating state of mind.
VINA
Stringed musical instrument. The goddess of music, art, wisdom (etc.) is
portraited as playing on one.
VIPARITA-KARANI
"Opposite doing": one of the essential yoga postures, the half
shoulder-stand.
VIRA
"Hero".
VIRAT
The Cosmic Egg or Cosmic Soul.
VISHAYA
Sense-objects.
VISHNU
The controller in the "Hindu trilogy" of Brahma (God the Creator);
Vishnu (up-keeper, maintainer fond of fraud); and Shiva (destroyer).
VISHUDDHI CHAKRA
Throat chakra, the centre in the spine behind the thyroid gland; centre
for expressing thoughts.
VISISHTAM
Differentiation.
VIVEKA
Discerning faculty, discrimination.
VRITTI
A "wave in the mind-lake". It can suggest getting disturbed also.
Vrittis (plural) are fluctuations, modifications, which "ripple" the
mind at one given moment.
VYOMA
space.
Y
YAJNAVALKYA (Yagnavalkya)
A respected Hindu teacher of old. "Second only to [the Laws of] Manu is
the Dharma Shastra of Yajnavalkya; its 1,013 stanzas are distributed
under the three headings of good conduct, law, and expiation", says
Encyclopaedia Britannica. Yajnavalkya's work agrees with Manu Samhita on
many points, but disagrees in topics like gambling. His work paraphrases
ideas in the Brihadaranyaka Upanishad, where he is told of (2:3 ff;
4:5.1), and has undergone many modifications. [Ebu "Hinduism"; Xmi,
index.]
YAKSHA
An attendant of the Hindu god of wealth, Kubera. Female: yakshini.
YAM
Root mantra for anahata chakra (heart centre).
YAMA
(1) The hindu god of death, also known as "king of rigtheous deals",
dharmaraja. (2) Proper and non-wicked self control of thoughts and
actions tied in with such as righteousness that stems from deep inside.
This meaning - restraint - lies behind the use of the word for the first
of eight "steps" in Patanjali's yoga, where yama denotes what people had
better not stray into, such as stealing and lying.
YANA
Way, vehicle. Thus, Ramayana means "The way of Rama". Yana can also mean
subtle vehicle.
YANTRA
Both simple and elaborate geometric symbols aiming at liberating the
intently gazing deep mind somehow. Thus they turn into "magnetised
stuff" inside oneself and can "have a half-life" of its own.
YOGA NIDRA
Where one is neither awake nor in deep sleep. (Norwegian: "ei slags
yogi-?").
YOGA
"Yoke" and/or "union". There are many yogas. In practical living it is
(1) a way or a system of methods. It is not just the system of solid,
slow body stretching and twisting (hatha yoga); that is just one branch
of the whole system. (2) It's also a sanskrit-based, handed-over Indian
philosophy tied in with Patanjali's Yoga Sutras. (3) It can also mean
the end goal of practical tries at doing yoga, particularly "union with
the godhead inside etc.". In addition to that, there are nuances and
specialisations. "Those who attain yoga (union) breathe harmony" is a
hint at what is aimed at.
YOGANANDA
A monk's name. It consists of 'yoga' and 'ananda' (great joy) glued
together. Many Hindu monks have such a name. The most well-known one in
the West is Param(a)hansa Yogananda (1893-1952), founder of
Self-Realization Fellowship in Boston in 1920. His Autobiography of a
Yogi has been influential. In it, he speaks on mystical topics, presents
his own gurus, and the fabled kriya yoga methods he came to the West to
make known. He was born Mukunda Lal Ghosh in India.
YOGA SUTRAS
Ancient primer on yoga attributed to Maharishi Patanjali. This the
earliest extant textbook on yoga explains facets of the theistic Yoga
system (philosophy), one of the six systems of orthodox Hindu philosopy.
This orthodox Hindu philosophy differs from the Samkhya system of
philosophy only in reckoning with God, who is defined as a distinct
self.
In the Yoga system, the self is a bit different from from the ordinary,
everyday mind. The fundamental aim is to bring mind-modifications (citta-vritti)
to rest, so that the self can shine forth in its essence, which is glad.
In slightly other words, the brief and terse treatise deals with
focusing and its methods, mind elevation through focus of thinking, and
so on.
In the ancient textbook, yogic thought is grouped in four very brief
books. They arecalled "Psychic Power", "Practice of Yoga", "Samadhi",
and "Kaivalya" (liberation). The Yoga-sutras were apparently written
over several centuries: The first three books in the 2nd century BC, and
the last book in the 5th century AD. The last book was possibly written
in Patanjali's name, according to an ancient, customary practice in
India. [Ebu, "Yoga-sutras", "Patanjali"]
YOGI(N)
One who practices yoga.
YOGINI
A female yogi.
YONI
Female sexual organ, womb, and source.
YUGA
One of the four ages of a Hindu world cycle, hence, "age", "eon", "era",
"time cycle". Hindu scriptures tell of four eras. They have things in
common with the Greek golden, silver, bronze and iron ages. The yuga
are: satya or krita yuga; treta yuga; dvapara yuga; and kali yuga. They
are described in the Manu Samhita and briefly shown in Vishnu Puranam,
and also mentioned in the old text Markandeya Purana. The claims of how
long the eras and cycles are, vary extremely much.
Z
ZEN
Zen Buddhism. The word 'Zen' is derived from Sanskrit 'dhyana'
(contemplation, deep meditation), via the Chinese 'ch'an'. Zen, then, is
deep and contemplative Buddhism.
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